Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method, comprising: identifying a scanning opportunity for an apparatus, the scanning opportunity being based upon an integer multiple of a network beacon signal interval of a network in which the apparatus is operating; if a determination is made in the apparatus to utilize the scanning opportunity, preparing a network information message and entering a passive scanning mode for the duration of the scanning opportunity; and if a beacon message corresponding to another network is received in the apparatus while in the passive scanning mode, initiating transmission of the network information message, wherein the network information message comprises information corresponding to the network in which the apparatus is operating and contains information usable by other apparatuses when synchronizing to the beacon signal interval of the network, and wherein the network information is prepared prior to entering the passive scanning mode.
A device in a wireless network identifies a scanning opportunity that occurs at a multiple of the network's beacon interval. If the device decides to scan, it prepares a network information message (containing details to help other devices sync to its network's beacon signal) and enters a passive scanning mode for the scanning duration. While scanning, if the device receives a beacon from another network, it transmits the prepared network information message. The network information is created *before* the device starts scanning.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein a duration for the scanning opportunity is defined as an integer multiple of the network beacon signal interval.
The method described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, which occurs at a multiple of the current network's beacon interval, has a scanning opportunity duration that is also an integer multiple of the network beacon signal interval. In other words, the scanning period's length is a multiple of the time between beacon signals.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein if a determination is made to not utilize the scanning opportunity the apparatus is permitted to participate in beaconing within the network.
The method described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, which occurs at a multiple of the current network's beacon interval, allows the device to skip the scanning opportunity. If the device chooses not to scan, it participates in normal beaconing within its own network.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein when the apparatus participates in beaconing within the network during duration of the scanning opportunity, the apparatus does not initiate transmission of data frames during duration of the scanning opportunity.
The method described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, but it can also choose to participate in normal beaconing. If the device chooses to beacon during the scanning opportunity instead of scanning, it does *not* send any data frames during the period it would have been scanning.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network information message is modified by the apparatus prior to transmission to contain a network identifier corresponding to the another network, the network identifier being derived in the apparatus from the received beacon message.
The method described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, and transmits its own network's info if it hears another beacon, modifies the network information message *before* transmitting it. Specifically, it adds a network identifier corresponding to the network that sent the received beacon. This identifier is extracted from the received beacon message.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the information usable by other apparatuses when synchronizing to the beacon signal interval of the network further comprises diluted beacon signal interval information.
The method described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, and transmits its own network's info, ensures that the information helps other devices synchronize to its network. This synchronization information includes a "diluted" beacon signal interval. The diluted interval is likely a simplified or averaged version of the actual beacon interval, easing the syncing process for new devices.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein initiating transmission comprises participating in contention for access to a wireless communication medium.
The method described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, and transmits its own network's info if it hears another beacon, starts transmitting by competing for access to the wireless communication medium. This means the device has to contend with other devices to gain access to the wireless channel before sending the network information message. Standard wireless contention mechanisms are used.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein when entering the passive scanning mode the apparatus does not participate in beaconing for the duration of the scanning opportunity.
The method described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity specifies that, when the device enters passive scanning mode, it stops participating in normal beaconing for the entire duration of the scanning opportunity. The device completely focuses on listening for other networks and does not transmit its own network's beacon.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein an indication of the beacon message received from the another network is not transmitted to the network in which the apparatus is operating.
The method described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, and transmits its own network's info if it hears another beacon, does *not* inform the current network that it received a beacon from another network. The apparatus keeps this information private and doesn't send any indication to its current network about the existence of other networks.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the information is usable by other apparatuses for receiving a next beacon transmission when synchronizing to the beacon signal interval of the network.
The method described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, and transmits its own network's info ensures that the information is helpful for new devices synchronizing to the network. The transmitted information allows other devices to determine when to expect the *next* beacon transmission, aiding in the synchronization process.
11. A computer program product comprising computer executable program code recorded on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, the computer executable program code comprising: code configured to cause an apparatus to identify a scanning opportunity, the scanning opportunity being based upon an integer multiple of a network beacon signal interval of a network in which the apparatus is operating; code configured to, if a determination is made in the apparatus to utilize the scanning opportunity, cause the apparatus to prepare a network information message and enter a passive scanning mode for the duration of the scanning opportunity; and code configured to, if a beacon message corresponding to another network is received in the apparatus while in the passive scanning mode, cause the apparatus to transmit the network information message, wherein the network information message comprises information corresponding to the network in which the apparatus is operating and contains information usable by other apparatuses when synchronizing to the beacon signal interval of the network, and wherein the network information is prepared prior to entering the passive scanning mode.
A computer program stored on a non-transitory medium makes a device identify scanning opportunities based on multiples of the current network's beacon interval. If the device chooses to scan, the code prepares a network information message (containing info to help sync to the network's beacon) and puts the device in passive scanning for the duration. If a beacon from another network is heard while scanning, the code transmits the prepared network information. The network information is prepared *before* scanning.
12. The computer program product of claim 11 , wherein a duration for the scanning opportunity is defined as an integer multiple of the network beacon signal interval.
The computer program described, where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, which occurs at a multiple of the current network's beacon interval, has a scanning opportunity duration that is also an integer multiple of the network beacon signal interval. In other words, the scanning period's length is a multiple of the time between beacon signals, and the software controls the duration accordingly.
13. The computer program product of claim 11 , further comprising code configured to, if a determination is made to not utilize the scanning opportunity, cause the apparatus to participate in beaconing within the network.
The computer program described, where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, but the software includes a choice. If the device chooses *not* to scan, the software allows the device to participate in normal beaconing within its own network, handling the transmission of standard beacon signals.
14. The computer program product of claim 13 , further comprising code configured to, if the apparatus participates in beaconing within the network during duration of the scanning opportunity, cause the apparatus to not initiate transmission of data frames during duration of the scanning opportunity.
The computer program described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, or participates in beaconing instead, includes code that prevents data frame transmissions during the scanning opportunity if the device opts to beacon. Specifically, if beaconing is chosen, the software prevents the initiation of new data frame transmissions.
15. The computer program product of claim 11 , further comprising code configured to cause the apparatus to modify the network information prior to transmission to contain a network identifier corresponding to the another network, the network identifier being derived in the apparatus from the received beacon message.
The computer program described, where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, and transmits its own network's info if it hears another beacon, has code to modify the network information *before* sending. The code adds a network identifier (extracted from the received beacon) to the message, identifying the source of the other network's beacon.
16. The computer program product of claim 11 , wherein the information usable by other apparatuses for synchronizing to the network further comprises diluted beacon signal interval information.
The computer program described, where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, and transmits its own network's info, ensures that the transmitted information helps new devices synchronize to the network. This synchronization information includes a "diluted" beacon signal interval. The software calculates and includes this diluted interval.
17. The computer program product of claim 11 , wherein initiating transmission comprises participating in contention for access to a wireless communication medium.
The computer program described, where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, and transmits its own network's info if it hears another beacon, uses standard contention mechanisms when transmitting. The software initiates transmission by participating in contention for access to the wireless channel.
18. The computer program product of claim 11 , further comprising code configured to cause the apparatus to not participate in beaconing for the duration of the scanning opportunity when entering the passive scanning mode.
The computer program described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity will cause the device to stop beaconing in it's current network. The software will not transmit beacon signals for the current network for the duration of the scanning opportunity.
19. The computer program product of claim 11 , wherein an indication of the beacon message received from the another network is not transmitted to the network in which the apparatus is operating.
The computer program described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, and transmits its own network's info if it hears another beacon, does *not* inform the current network that it received a beacon from another network. The software will not transmit any indication that another network's beacon was received.
20. The computer program product of claim 11 , wherein the information is usable by other apparatuses for receiving a next beacon transmission when synchronizing to the beacon signal interval of the network.
The computer program described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, and transmits its own network's info ensures that the information is helpful for new devices synchronizing to the network. The software is set to make available to other devices the timing of the *next* beacon from the network.
21. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including executable instructions, the at least one memory and the executable instructions being configured to, in cooperation with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: identify a scanning opportunity for an apparatus, the scanning opportunity being based upon an integer multiple of a network beacon signal interval of a network in which the apparatus is operating; if a determination is made in the apparatus to utilize the scanning opportunity, prepare a network information message and entering a passive scanning mode for the duration of the scanning opportunity; and if a beacon message corresponding to another network is received in the apparatus while in the passive scanning mode, transmit the network information message, wherein the network information message comprises information corresponding to the network in which the apparatus is operating and contains information usable by other apparatuses when synchronizing to the beacon signal interval of the network, and wherein the network information is prepared prior to entering the passive scanning mode.
An apparatus (device) has a processor and memory containing instructions that make it: identify scanning opportunities based on multiples of its network's beacon interval. If it chooses to scan, it prepares a network information message (to help sync to its network's beacon) and enters passive scanning. If it hears a beacon from another network while scanning, it transmits the prepared network information message. The network information is prepared *before* scanning.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein a duration for the scanning opportunity is defined as an integer multiple of the network beacon signal interval.
The apparatus described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, which occurs at a multiple of the current network's beacon interval, has a scanning opportunity duration that is also an integer multiple of the network beacon signal interval. In other words, the scanning period's length is a multiple of the time between beacon signals, and the hardware manages the duration accordingly.
23. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein if a determination is made to not utilize the scanning opportunity the apparatus is permitted to participate in beaconing within the network.
The apparatus described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, but the device can choose whether to do that. If the device chooses *not* to scan, it participates in normal beaconing within its own network.
24. The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein when the apparatus participates in beaconing within the network during duration of the scanning opportunity, the apparatus does not initiate transmission of data frames during duration of the scanning opportunity.
The apparatus described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, or participates in beaconing instead, prevents data frame transmissions during the scanning opportunity if the device opts to beacon. If beaconing is chosen, the apparatus does not initiate new data frame transmissions.
25. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the network information message is modified by the apparatus prior to transmission to contain a network identifier corresponding to the another network, the network identifier being derived in the apparatus from the received beacon message.
The apparatus described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, and transmits its own network's info if it hears another beacon, modifies the network information *before* transmitting. It adds a network identifier (extracted from the received beacon) to the message, identifying the source of the other network's beacon.
26. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the information usable by other apparatuses for synchronizing to the network further comprises diluted beacon signal interval information.
The apparatus described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, and transmits its own network's info, ensures that the transmitted information helps new devices synchronize to the network. This synchronization information includes a "diluted" beacon signal interval. The apparatus calculates and includes this diluted interval.
27. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein initiating transmission comprises participating in contention for access to a wireless communication medium.
The apparatus described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, and transmits its own network's info if it hears another beacon, uses standard contention mechanisms when transmitting. It initiates transmission by participating in contention for access to the wireless channel.
28. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein when entering the passive scanning mode the apparatus does not participate in beaconing for the duration of the scanning opportunity.
The apparatus described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity will cause the device to stop beaconing in it's current network. The apparatus will not transmit beacon signals for the current network for the duration of the scanning opportunity.
29. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein an indication of the beacon message received from the another network is not transmitted to the network in which the apparatus is operating.
The apparatus described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, and transmits its own network's info if it hears another beacon, does *not* inform the current network that it received a beacon from another network. The apparatus will not transmit any indication that another network's beacon was received.
30. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the information is usable by other apparatuses for receiving a next beacon transmission when synchronizing to the beacon signal interval of the network.
The apparatus described where a device scans for other networks during a scanning opportunity, and transmits its own network's info ensures that the information is helpful for new devices synchronizing to the network. The apparatus is set to make available to other devices the timing of the *next* beacon from the network.
Unknown
September 23, 2014
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